BOYCOTT THREAT

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 147, 18 March 1931, Page 10

BOYCOTT THREAT

Counter to Wage Cuts LABOUR DECISION Advice to Unionists A recommendation to workers to boycott wholesale and retail firms who support the Government policy for wage reductions is the outcome of the Alliance of Labour conference held in Wellington last week. Trades unionists are to be advised to avoid buying clothing, food, or drink from businesses which follow the Government policy. Members have been instructed to reduce their house rental payments by 15 per cent, if the 10 per cent, wage cuts take effect. The report of the conference states; “It is probable that if action of this kind is taken, working people will be evicted from their homes, but the national and local committees will deal with this matter. Workers are asked not to occupy a house from which a tenant is ejected for reducing the rental by 15 per cent. The Prime Minister also expressed a pious hope that the cost of living would be reduced. The conference discussed this question very fully, and it was not prepared to accept the word of the Prime Minister, for in 1922 when the Court of Arbitration reduced wages by the wholesale method the cost of living actually increaesed. It was therefore decided that all workers be asked to impose a reduction of 10 per cent on all bills for food, clothing and other necessaries of life. “If contracts by the Arbitration Court are made only to be smashed at the will of Parliament or the bondholders overseas, workers cannot hope to rely on that institution any longer. The conference decided that, in the event of the Court of Arbitration ■ reducing wages or worsening the conditions of employment contained in any award or industrial agreement before its expiry, the unions affected be instructed by the national committee to cancel their registration under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act.” LOCO. MEN’S ATTITUDE The executive council of the Locomotive Engineers, Firemen, and Cleaners’ Association, supported by all branches throughout the Dominion, strongly opposes the proposals of wage reduction as it affects the members of their organisation. “It is recognised that the country is passing through an economic depression, due to the fall in the prices of primary products, and that the railway industry is declining, due to the competitive system of transport,” the council states. The methods proposed to be adopted by the Prime Minister, however, were strongly criticised. “The 1930 economies reduced the locomotive men’s earnings by approximately £85,000, and a further 10 per cent, cut as proposed would save £57,000. maikng a total of approximately £142,000, which makes an average reduction of £7l per Hiemhpr per annum, and making a total 0f25 per cent, reduction, in comparison with the 10 per cent, to be inflicted by the Government, on all Public servants. “We consider that there is no equality of sacrifice in the proposals of the Government. The organisation takes up a definite attitude on any further reductions, which will be resolutely opposed in defence of their standards, which should be maintained at a rate commensurate with the services rendered to the community. “It is contended that locomotive men have carried more than their share of the burden of economies, and will fight against any further attempt to reduce wages or impair conditions.”